The Story of Shwe Kokko: How a Border Backwater Became a Global Crime Hub

The Shwe Kokko crime hub, which was initially pitched as a large-scale mixed commercial, residential and leisure development project known as “China Town,” sprung up nearly a decade ago on the bank of the Moei River on the Thailand-Myanmar border. It was built in an area known variously as Kawmoorah and Wangkha that was previously under the control of Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) insurgents.

In 1995, the area had been overrun by the Myanmar military, allowing a Karen splinter group to gain control. A former KNLA officer, Saw Chit Thu, took charge of the area, reached a peace deal with the Myanmar military, and in 2010 transformed his troops into the 10-battalion-strong Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), which operates under the direct control of the Myanmar military. He was appointed general secretary of the border force, and Shwe Kokko Myaing became its headquarters.

The Myanmar military has approved the creation of a number of BGFs around the country; they often appear to have a free hand in business and administrative affairs within their areas of control, with many involved in activities such as tax collection, resource exploitation and narcotics trafficking. They are key players in countering the ethnic forces fighting against the military.